Reviews

Night Wreckers Jame Street Tavern, Oxford 3.2.2017
This fun event, hosted by Sparky’s Flying Circus at the James Street Tavern, was the first time I had seen the oxford-based band the Night Wreckers: and what a pleasant surprise. With a mix of classic rhythm and blues including numbers from Howlin’ Wolf, Stones and Zappa, the seasoned musicians played an excellent set. Fronting the band on lead guitar and super vocals was Deke Roberts, with Richard Witoszynski on lead guitar, Jamie Long on bass and Nick Clack on drums. Sadly missing this evening, through ill health, was fifth member Barry King (normally rhythm guitar and vocals). Kicking off the set with a Bill Haley classic ‘Shake, Rattle And Roll’, they got the party started. Following with their own take on ‘I Doesn’t Matter Any More’ and a Dylan number ‘I Don’t Believe You’, they showed the depth of their musicianship. A great version of ‘It’s All Over Now’ and The Standells’ number ‘Dirty Water’ with ‘You Really Got Me’, a long way from the Kinks. Enter Howlin’ Wolf with a classic ‘I Asked For Water’ and even some Zappa with ‘In France’. Closing the set with ‘Roll On Babe’, Muddy Waters’ ‘You Need Love’ and the Wolf’s ‘Who’s Been Talking’, it was a great evening and although all covers, they were played with the Night Wreckers’ definitive stamp. With some self penned numbers in the mix, they hope for a CD in the not too distant future. Certainly a band who are not a “standard” blues band with the addition of pepper and salt to the interesting material in their set well worth seeing.
Words and image: Rosy Greer

Night Wreckers
Jame Street Tavern, Oxford 3.2.2017

This fun event, hosted by Sparky’s Flying Circus at the James Street Tavern, was the first time I had seen the oxford-based band the Night Wreckers: and what a pleasant surprise. With a mix of classic rhythm and blues including numbers from Howlin’ Wolf, Stones and Zappa, the seasoned musicians played an excellent set.
Fronting the band on lead guitar and super vocals was Deke Roberts, with Richard Witoszynski on lead guitar, Jamie Long on bass and Nick Clack on drums. Sadly missing this evening, through ill health, was fifth member Barry King (normally rhythm guitar and vocals).
Kicking off the set with a Bill Haley classic ‘Shake, Rattle And Roll’, they got the party started. Following with their own take on ‘I Doesn’t Matter Any More’ and a Dylan number ‘I Don’t Believe You’, they showed the depth of their musicianship.

A great version of ‘It’s All Over Now’ and The Standells’ number ‘Dirty Water’ with ‘You Really Got Me’, a long way from the Kinks.
Enter Howlin’ Wolf with a classic ‘I Asked For Water’ and even some Zappa with ‘In France’. Closing the set with ‘Roll On Babe’, Muddy Waters’ ‘You Need Love’ and the Wolf’s ‘Who’s Been Talking’, it was a great evening and although all covers, they were played with the Night Wreckers’ definitive stamp.
With some self penned numbers in the mix, they hope for a CD in the not too distant future. Certainly a band who are not a “standard” blues band with the addition of pepper and salt to the interesting material in their set well worth seeing.

Words and image: Rosy Greer